Acupuncture, Trigger Points, and Musculoskeletal Pain 3rd Edition

The third edition of this highly successful book describes how musculoskeletal pain can be simply and effectively treated by acupuncture. It gives a comprehensive account of current knowledge concerning two very commonly occurring musculoskeletal pain disorders – the myofascial trigger poit pain syndrome and the fibromyalgia syndrome.

Myofascial trigger point pain syndrome is an all-to-common complaint. It often goes unrecognised or alternatively is passed off as trivial and ineffectively treated. This third edition gives a wide-ranging review of current knowledge concerning it. The author, after having given a detailed account of the neurophysiology of pain in general, discusses at length the pathophysiology of myofascial trigger point nociceptive pain and the rationale for alleviating it by means of the acupuncture technique of superficially applied dry needle – evoked nerve stimulation at trigger point sites.

New chapters to this edition:

Pathophysiology, clinical manifestations and diagnosis of the myofascial trigger point and fibromyalgia syndromes (Ch 7)

Each chapter has been thoroughly revised with fully updated references and includes all relevant clinical trial information

Part 3 includes information on a wide range of topics such as migraine, lateral epidondylalgia, repetitive strain injury, whiplash injury and pelvic floor pain disorders

This book will be of interest to all healthcare professionals involved in the treatment of pain including anaesthetists, rheumatologists, orthopaedic specialists, general physicians, general practitioners and physiotherapists.

About the Author:

Peter E Baldry MB FRCP is Emeritus Consultant Physician and Postgraduate Clinical Tutor, Ashford Hospital, London, UK. Having made a special study of my myofascial pain over the past 20 years he is also the author of the widely selling book Myofascial Pain and Fibromyalgia Syndromes. He is a past Chairman of the British Medical Acupuncture Society, past president of the Acupuncture Association of British Chartered Physiotherapists and is also a member of the International Myopain Society and of the Pain Society (UK). He has lectured widely on a myofascial pain in the USA, UK, Australia, Scandinavia, Switzerland, and South Africa.

“This book provides an excellent, lucid, and westernized approach to one school of acupuncture. I commend it to physiotherapists, rheumatologists, and general practitioners who are interested in all aspects of musculoskeletal disease.”

-The Lancet

“... a well-written, scholarly book which I find of considerable benefit in its description of the anatomy and mechanism of trigger point activity. The diagrams of muscle structure and trigger point location are excellent... should be regarded as a 'must' for those involved or interested in trigger points and musculoskeletal pain.”

-The European Journal of Oriental Medicine

“.... a welcome addition to the pain literature... Dr Baldry's intention is to place acupuncture within the framework of known mechanisms of pain physiology, provide a scientific foundation for its use, and promote its inclusion in the management of certain pain syndromes.... The book is recommended for those familiar with either acupuncture or with myofascial pain syndromes, and who wish to broaden their perspective of the treatment of these conditions.”

-Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain

“I continue to be impressed by the scope of this book with its extensive range of references from many different sources. The second edition brilliantly joins together the ancient craft of acupuncture with current scientific understanding of the needle effect. It is copiously illustrated throughout with clear line drawings which, together with the text, provide a practical guide for clinical use. It also contains sufficient theory and historical background to allow a broad overview of the subject. This book remains required reading for all who are concerned with needling techniques and the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.”

-Acupuncture in Medicine (Journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society)